Chapter 217

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the son of the wielder of the thunderboltnarrated everything unto those Brahmanas (residing with him there), setout for the breast of Himavat. Arriving at the spot called Agastyavata,he next went to Vasishtha’s peak.

Thence the son of Kunti proceeded tothe peak of Bhrigu. Purifying himself with ablutions and other ritesthere, that foremost of the Kurus gave away unto Brahmanas many thousandsof cows and many houses. Thence that best of men proceeded to the sacredasylum called Hiranyavindu. Performing his ablutions there, that foremostof the sons of Pandu saw many holy regions. Descending from those heightsthat chief of men, O Bharata, accompanied by the Brahmanas, journeyedtowards the east, desiring to behold the regions that lay in thatdirection. That foremost one of Kuru’s race saw many regions of sacredwaters one after another. And beholding in the forest of Naimisha thedelightful river Utpalini (full of lotuses) and the Nanda and the AparaNanda, the far-famed Kausiki, and the mighty rivers Gaya and Ganga, andall the regions of sacred water, he purified himself, O Bharata, (withthe usual rites), and gave away many cows unto Brahmanas. Whateverregions of sacred waters and whatever other holy palaces there were inVanga and Kalinga, Arjuna visited all of them. Seeing them all andperforming proper ceremonies, he gave away much wealth. Then, O Bharata,all those Brahmanas following the son of Pandu, bade him farewell at thegate of the kingdom of Kalinga and desisted from proceeding with him anyfurther. The brave Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, obtaining their leave,went towards the ocean, accompanied by only a few attendants. Crossingthe country of the Kalingas, the mighty one proceeded, seeing on his waydiverse countries and sacred spots and diverse delightful mansions andhouses. Beholding the Mahendra mountain adorned with the ascetics(residing there), he went to Manipura, proceeding slowly along thesea-shore. Beholding all the sacred waters and other holy places in thatprovince, the strong-armed son of Pandu at last went, O king, to thevirtuous Chitravahana, the ruler of Manipura. The king of Manipura had adaughter of great beauty named Chitrangada. And it so happened thatArjuna beheld her in her father’s palace roving at pleasure. Beholdingthe handsome daughter of Chitravahana, Arjuna desired to possess her.Going unto the king (her father), he represented unto him what he sought.He said. ‘Give away unto me thy daughter, O king! I am an illustriousKshatriya’s son.’ Hearing this, the king asked him, ‘Whose son art thou?’Arjuna replied, ‘I am Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu and Kunti.’ The king,hearing this, spoke unto him these words in sweet accents, ‘There was inour race a king of the name of Prabhanjana, who was childless. To obtaina child, he underwent severe ascetic penances. By his severe asceticism,O Partha, he gratified that god of gods, Mahadeva, the husband of Uma,that supreme Lord holding (the mighty bow called) Pinaka. The illustriousLord granted him the boon that each successive descendant of his raceshould have one child only. In consequence of that boon only one child isborn unto every successive descendant of this race. All my ancestors (oneafter another) had each a male child. I, however, have only a daughter toperpetuate my race. But, O bull amongst men, I ever look upon thisdaughter of mine as my son. O bull of Bharata’s race, I have duly madeher a Putrika. Therefore, one amongst the sons that may be begotten uponher by thee, O Bharata, shall be the perpetuator of my race. That son isthe dower for which I may give away my daughter. O son of Pandu, if themchoosest, thou canst take her upon this understanding.’ Hearing thesewords of the king, Arjuna accepted them all, saying, ‘So be it.’ TakingChitravahana’s daughter (as his wife), the son of Kunti resided in thatcity for three years. When Chitrangada at last gave birth to a son,Arjuna embraced that handsome princess affectionately. And taking leaveof the king (her father), he set out on his wanderings again.'”